Etymology: Scutellaria: from Latin scutella, "a small dish, tray or platter," and referring to the sepals which appear this way during the fruiting period
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-28" tall, aromatic forb; stems square, solitary
Leaves: opposite, stalked, thin with pinnately arranged veins, wide rounded base, toothed
Flowers: blue, 5-parted, 1/4"-1/3" long, petals nearly straight; inflorescence a 1"-4" long cluster (raceme) of stalked flowers mostly from the leaf axils; blooms June-Sept.
Fruits: 1-seeded nutlet
Habitat: wet to moist; woods, shores, shallows
Conservation Status: Native

- "little shield" across the top of the calyx ("tractor seat")

- racemes mostly axillary

- petioles 0.5 - 3 cm long

- leaves ovate

- flowers < 9 mm long

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Purple Sage - Ethnobotanical Information: Detailed usage, preparation, and other helpful information Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"